An early 20th century barro negro or black clay botijo, hand made and signed ROCA CAUS VERDU on the handle, by the famed pottery company, Roca Caus, in the village of Verdú in the Catalan region of Spain, circa 1900. This beautiful utilitarian pot, with its wide belly, top handle, and one mouth where it's filled and one mouth called a pitón or pitorro to drink from, is a traditional porous clay Spanish vessel originally designed to contain water. The botijo is a typical element of Spanish culture and can be found in nearly every rural town and varies in shape, color, and material depending on the area. The Verdú jugs are known for their ability to keep water cool and very fresh because of their porosity. The expression "they always cry" is well known. Today, this antique clay jug can be used as a vase, stand alone conversation piece, or grouped with other pieces of blackware on a table, shelf or kitchen counter. Beautifully decorative, it will be a wonderful addition to any collection. Each piece is a unique work of art, and its dusky matte patina only adds to its overall character and charm. Additional black clay pottery pieces are available.

Verdú is celebrated for its centuries long tradition of pottery production, especially its blackware. The same black clay base that was used in the 16th century is still being used today. This black clay takes on its characteristic black color when fired with wood and no oxides or ceramic glazes are added. The color of each piece is defined by smoking during firing. Dark colored reduction pottery had a great impact in continental Europe during medieval times. The tradition was so ingrained in Catalonia that it persisted on a large scale until the 17th and 18th centuries. Today the tradition continues in the workshops of the towns of Verdú and La Bisbal. The ancient traditions of the Roca Caus workshop have been passed down from generation to generation and it continues to produce beautiful black pottery today.

Dimensions:

h - 12.75"

w - 8.5"

d - 7.5"

base diameter - 4"